What Is 2017 Missouri State Bears football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Missouri State Bears football team represented Missouri State University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Dave Steckel. They competed in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and played home games at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield.

Key Facts

The 2017 Missouri State Bears finished the season with a 6–5 overall record
Head coach Dave Steckel led the team in his fifth and final season
They played home games at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Missouri
The Bears were members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC)
Quarterback Peyton Huslig started most games and threw for 1,857 yards

Overview

The 2017 Missouri State Bears football team represented Missouri State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2017 season. Competing as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), the Bears played their home games at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Missouri, under head coach Dave Steckel.

The team showed improvement over previous years, finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2013. Despite a strong finish, they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, ending the season with a 6–5 overall record and a 4–4 conference mark. The season marked the final year for head coach Dave Steckel, who stepped down after five seasons.

Record: The Bears finished the 2017 season with a 6–5 overall record and a 4–4 mark in MVFC play, showing significant improvement from their 4–7 record in 2016.
Head Coach:Dave Steckel served as head coach for his fifth and final season, compiling a 22–30 record over his tenure before stepping down after the season.
Stadium: Home games were played at Robert W. Plaster Stadium, a 17,500-seat venue in Springfield, Missouri, which underwent renovations in recent years.
Quarterback:Peyton Huslig started 10 games, throwing for 1,857 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, becoming a key offensive leader.
Rivalry Game: The Bears lost to in-state rival Southern Illinois 27–24 in overtime, a key moment in their conference campaign.

Season Performance

The 2017 campaign featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought wins, highlighting the team’s competitive edge in the tough Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Bears opened the season with a win over Murray State but struggled in road games against ranked opponents.

Opening Win: Missouri State defeated Murray State 31–10 in Week 2 (they had a bye in Week 1), setting a positive tone with a balanced offensive performance.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 25.3 points per game, ranking in the middle of the MVFC, with improvements seen in red-zone efficiency.
Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed 27.1 points per game, including losses to ranked teams like North Dakota State and South Dakota State by narrow margins.
Key Victory: A 31–28 win over Indiana State in October was a highlight, with the defense forcing two late turnovers to seal the game.
Home Record: The Bears went 5–1 at home, their best home performance in years, drawing an average of over 10,000 fans per game.
Season Finale: They closed the season with a 48–14 loss to Southern Illinois, which ultimately cost them a potential playoff berth.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2017 Bears to recent seasons reveals progress in win totals and competitiveness within the MVFC, though playoff eligibility remained out of reach.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Playoff Appearance
2017	6–5	4–4 MVFC	Dave Steckel	No
2016	4–7	3–5 MVFC	Dave Steckel	No
2015	4–7	3–5 MVFC	Dave Steckel	No
2014	4–7	3–5 MVFC	Dave Steckel	No
2013	6–5	3–5 MVFC	Kenny Higgins	No

The 2017 season matched the program’s best win total since 2013, but unlike that year, the Bears had a winning overall record and a .500 conference mark. This improvement reflected better quarterback play and home-field dominance, though consistency on the road remained an issue. The data shows a program trending upward under Steckel, even as his tenure concluded.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a transitional yet promising chapter for Missouri State football, setting the foundation for future growth under new leadership. While not a playoff year, it demonstrated the program’s potential to compete in one of the toughest FCS conferences.

Program Momentum: Finishing above .500 provided momentum heading into the hiring of Billy Back, who was later replaced by Bryan Petersen before Josh McDaniels took over as athletic director.
Recruiting Boost: A winning season helped improve recruiting efforts, particularly in the Missouri and Midwest regions, enhancing future roster depth.
Stadium Development: Strong home attendance supported ongoing discussions about stadium upgrades and potential FBS aspirations long-term.
Conference Competitiveness: Competing closely with power programs like North Dakota State showed the Bears could challenge elite FCS teams.
Leadership Transition: Steckel’s departure marked the end of an era, opening the door for a new coaching philosophy and system.
Foundation for Success: The 2017 season laid groundwork for future improvements, including the eventual hiring of Bryan Petersen as head coach in 2020.

Though overshadowed by powerhouse MVFC programs, the 2017 Missouri State Bears represented a step forward in stability and performance. Their season remains a reference point for progress in a historically rebuilding program.